The Dark Side

All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. [Numbers 31.8]

I grew up going to church for the most part. As a result, I became quite familiar with Balaam's story - in a nice way. It wasn't until I was an adult that I understood that Balaam's story had a dark side that ultimately led to his demise. I never learned that in Sunday School!

Just to be clear, even though Balaam refused to curse Israel, he evidently gave some advice to Balak that was sinister. From what the Scriptures reveal, Balaam advised that the women of Midian should attempt to seduce the Israel's men in a covert effort to draw them into worshiping Baal. Balaam's advised strategy worked.

The odd thing is, the talking donkey really does little more than distract us from the dark side of Balaam's story. On the surface, the story sounds innocent enough - in our struggle to obey God, God uses some unconventional means to speak to us and the story ends well. Oh, but that was not the case with Balaam!

Just because history does not clearly record our dark side does not mean it is not there. No matter how child-friendly we make the 'Sunday School lesson' of our lives does not clear us of the guilt of our hidden indiscretions!

Jesus was not deceived by the facade of people's claims. In Matthew 19.16-22 Jesus got past the surface goodness of a rich man and went to his heart. Even though the young man's life looked real good on the outside, he was unwilling to fully submit to God from the heart level. From Matthew's account of this encounter with Jesus, the rich man chose riches over relationship with God. Apparently, Balaam did the same thing.

The good we do for all to see is one thing. What takes place in our hearts is another altogether - and that is what matters.

What conversations 'in the dark' do we damn ourselves with? When others are not looking, what are we doing? For Balaam, he gave nasty advice to Balak. And, although whoever recorded the account of Balaam's encounter with Balak left out the "bad advice" part, it still was there and it cost Balaam his life.

Jesus will not allow us to reserve a dark side any more than he allowed the rich young man to reserve a dark side. Submission to Jesus - to live "in Him" and He "in us" - requires 100% transparency.

This brings up a point relative to another post (Let's Ask Again (Remember Balaam)), where Balaam apparently had no problem asking God again about something God had already spoken clearly about. Is our willingness to 'ask again' indicative of deep-seated rebellion - a dark side - lurking in us for the opportunity do something sinister while no one is watching?

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I can speak knowledgeably for myself... I have been that person.

Father, no matter what anyone sees on the outside story of my life, You know the inside. You know the filthy, greedy, self-serving, godless and proud intentions of my heart. Convict me daily on these issues and may I be found broken and contrite before You as You do. May I be found in Christ and Christ in me in every way. So be it.